Nina Dobrev May Return to 'The Vampire Diaries' for Series Finale

Fans of The CW's "Vampire Diaries" were heartbroken when original star Nina Dobrev left the show after six seasons. But with the longrunning series about to wrap up its run after its upcoming eighth season, Dobrev may be returning to say a final goodbye to the show.

That's the word from CW president Mark Pedowitz, who announced during a panel at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that the network was currently negotiating with the actress to have her return for the series finale.

"There are discussions going on with Nina," Pedowitz told reporters on Thursday. "We'd love to have Nina back. She was great for The CW. She was integral for 'The Vampire Diaries.'"

Of course, "TVD" creator and showrunner Julie Plec does have a contingency plan in place, too.

"Hopefully she'll be back, but should it not work out, Julie has planned a great series finale," Pedowitz said.

Dobrev departed the show back in 2015, announcing her exit in a heartfelt Instagram post addressed to her fans and her "TVD" family. Season seven continued without her, though there were rumblings -- particularly from fellow original star Ian Somerhalder -- that the series would soon come to an end. Last month at Comic-Con, The CW finally confirmed that season eight would indeed be the show's last.

The final season of "The Vampire Diaries" will debut on October 21. The series finale is set to air sometime in 2017.